Yukon · Year-round resident

Mallards in Yukon

When mallards are present in Yukon, when they nest, which native Yukon plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1b yard.

Ducks and geese (Anatidae)MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Status in Yukon
Year-round resident
Nesting window
April–June
Broods
1 per season
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a–1b

When to expect mallards in Yukon

Mallards live in Yukon all year. Long, dark winters well below −20°F. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.

Subarctic continental with mountains, boreal forest and Arctic tundra in the north.

Nesting in Yukon

Across Yukon, mallards typically nest from April–June. Plan around that window: March for setup, June for clean-out.

Short summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.

  • Mallards don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, willow (bebb), dwarf birch for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.

Native Yukon plants that attract mallards

Of the regional native plants we track for Yukon, these 4 provide food or cover mallards use:

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Willow (Bebb)
Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Dwarf birch
Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Feeding mallards through the Yukon year

  • Top foods: Cracked corn, Duck pellets.
  • In Yukon's winter: Long, dark winters well below −20°F.

Full diet breakdown for mallards · Best feeder for mallards

Frequently asked

Are mallards in Yukon year-round?

Yes. Mallards are year-round residents in Yukon.

When do mallards nest in Yukon?

Nesting in Yukon typically runs April–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 1–13 eggs, incubated for 23–30 days.

What native plants attract mallards in Yukon?

Paper birch, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch, Fireweed are native plants in Yukon that provide food or cover for mallards.

Mallards in other regions

Other backyard birds in Yukon

Sources

  1. Mallard — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Mallard life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Mallard — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Yukon
  5. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  6. Audubon Native Plants Database

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.